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The Best Linux Laptops (2026): System76, Framework, and More
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The Linux operating system will run on just about any computer. I mean that literally. Remember the Intel Pentium 4 processor? It came out in 2000, and it’s still supported by Debian Linux. That’s probably not a machine you want to work on today, though, so while Linux can run almost anywhere, Linux runs better on some laptops than others.
But once upon a time, getting Linux working meant jumping through all sorts of hoops and dealing with frustrating experiences trying to get everything to work on hardware designed for Windows or macOS. Thankfully, those days are mostly behind us. I’ve installed Linux on every laptop I’ve tested since 2020. Almost all of them worked great, but some were easier to get running than others.
Beyond supporting older hardware, Linux offers other user benefits, like greater control over operating systems that run on the Linux kernel, better security and malware protection, no unwanted software (bloatware), and faster performance. It’s not just for developers; it’s for casual users too.
For most people, a laptop preinstalled with Linux is your best bet. Plenty of hardware makers now ship laptops running Linux right out of the box. This guide recommends the best of these.
If you’re in the market for a laptop, be sure to check out our other buying guides, like the Best Laptops, Best Cheap Laptops, Best MacBooks, and How to Choose the Right Laptop.
Updated September 2026: I’ve revamped this guide to include the new System76 Pangolin Pro, along with updates on the Tuxedo and Framework options.
System76 recently updated its Lemur Pro with a new chip and a few other tweaks. I’ll be testing it very soon, but I don’t expect to change my recommendation here. The Lemur Pro has long been my favorite Linux laptop, and the latest model will likely continue that. It strikes the best balance between size, weight, power, and price, even with the price hike on the latest model.
At just over 12 inches wide and weighing 2.5 pounds, the 14-inch model is plenty portable. The 16-inch version is 14.1 inches by just under 10 inches. The 14-inch base model gets an Intel Core Ultra 5 325, with the option to upgrade to a Core Ultra X7 358H. The latter chip is the default for the 1-inch model. My one gripe with the new model is that the RAM is fixed at 32 GB. You can still cram up to 8 TB of storage into each of the two SSD slots.
The Lemur Pro offers very solid performance that’s plenty for all the things most people do every day. It can even handle light video editing and other intensive tasks, though it has no dedicated graphics card; for that, you’ll want the Pangolin Pro (see below). That said, I’ve been impressed with the Arc B390 iGPU in the Ultra X7 model. I’ll add more performance details after I’ve had a chance to test more.
The port selection is good, with two USB 3.2 Type-C ports—one of which is a Thunderbolt 4 port—a USB-A port, a 3.5-mm headphone/microphone combo jack, a MicroSD card reader, and an HDMI 2.0 port. Battery life is also fantastic, lasting all day in most use cases. The keyboard, while not my favorite, is pleasant enough to type on.